New statutory guidance and a legal definition of ‘honour’-based abuse is to be introduced to provide greater protection for victims say the government.
2,755 ‘honour’-based abuse related offences were recorded by the police in England and Wales according to recently published statistics; including ‘honour’-motivated killings, female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage. A new definition and recognition in law will ‘put an end to this and shining a light on this debilitating abuse’ said Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, adding
“All forms of ‘honour’-based abuse are devastating crimes that can shatter lives. There is no ‘honour’ in them. For too long, these offences have often been misunderstood by professionals, resulting in victims not getting the support they deserve. Make no mistake – we will use everything at our disposal to make sure perpetrators face justice and victims are protected.”
The measures are being introduced as part of the government’s Plan for Change and commitment to halving violence against women and girls. It is anticipated the measures will help police, social workers and others better identify the sign of ‘honour’-based abuse and support victims and make clear that frontline staff must take these crimes seriously. The National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls will work with the police to improve how officers assess the risks posed by ‘honour’-based abuse offenders. The government say the measures will also help stop vital information, which could hold perpetrators to account in a criminal trial, from being missed.
The Home Office is to pilot a prevalence study looking at how widespread this crime is, and a community awareness campaign will be launched to encourage victims to come forward.
Earlier this year, the joint Home Office and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Forced Marriage Unit launched a new mission statement and action plan with the aim of improving all operations so the unit can continue to provide the best possible support to victims of forced marriage and the professionals who help them.
Jess Phillips, Minister for Safeguarding and Violence against Women and Girls, added:
“These crimes can cause unimaginable long lasting physical and mental pain for their victims. They have no place in our society and we must do everything we can to put a stop to them. This starts with a clearer definition of the crime and guidance backed in law so that the government, law enforcement and the voluntary sector can work hand in hand to give victims the support they deserve.
“It is also vital that we understand the true scale and nature of these crimes in England and Wales. This will enable us and our partners to help make sure that more victims are protected and more perpetrators face time behind bars. This is the latest step in our mission to halve violence against women and girls, as part of the Plan for Change.”
Assistant Chief Constable Emma James, national policing lead for Honour-Based Abuse, said:
So-called ‘honour’-based abuse is a complex crime which often happens within community or family networks that many victims find it very difficult to speak out against and can face further threats, violence, or isolation if they do.
That’s why it’s so important that policing works closely with other agencies to identify abuse and protect victims at the earliest opportunity. We welcome the announcements from the government today that will help policing pay its part in protecting the most vulnerable in our communities.
Welcoming greater clarification for the justice system Jaswant Narwal, Crown Prosecution Service National Lead for ‘honour’-based abuse, said a new definition would provide “clarity, consistency and confidence in the way these crimes are identified and brought through the criminal justice system.”
